LLM is a postgraduate degree for students with a valid bachelor’s degree to practice law. The graduation requirements vary as per various university guidelines. The one-year full-time program gives law professionals expertise in specialised fields and allows them to work in a multinational legal environment. LLM in the United States from top universities teaches international students the legal principles of the host country. It helps lawyers relocate and practice in other countries and multinational issues. Although, even after completing LLM in the US, international students may need to clear a bar exam to practice there.
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Pursue LLM in the US
The US has over 200 colleges that offer LLM in well-known cities such as New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle. They have several specialised programs dealing with American law, common law, business law, criminal law, human rights law, intellectual property law, etc. As per American Bar Association (ABA) reports, there has been an increase of 8.4% in the number of lawyers from 2011 to 2021. The US legal studies have adopted a Socratic teaching method that improves argumentative dialogues among students. This skill set is a must for lawyers. Students gain knowledge about the US and international laws that help them to work in multinational law firms. LLM students in the United States have many career opportunities. Even one can continue law practice in the US without any discrimination in the law firms or the home country. Entry-level salary is around 58,000 to 70,000 USD annually in law firms. They can earn up to 96,200 USD or Rs 57 lakh per annum.
Specialised Law Programs in the US
Here is a list of different types of law programs available in the US
- LLM Programs for Criminal Law
- LLM Programs for Alternative Dispute Resolution
- LLM Programs for Banking/Finance/Securities Law
- LLM Programs for Business Law
- LLM Programs for Competition Law
- LLM Programs for Cybersecurity Law
- LLM Programs for Energy Law
- LLM Programs for Environmental Law
- LLM Programs for Health/Medical Law
- LLM Programs for Human Rights Law
- LLM Programs for Intellectual Property (IP) Law
- LLM Programs for International Tax Law
- LLM Programs for Maritime/Admiralty Law
- LLM Programs for Media Law / Entertainment Law
- LLM Programs for Public International Law
- LLM Programs for Real Estate Law
- LLM Programs for Sports Law
- LLM Programs in Technology Law
- LLM Programs for European Business Law
- LLM Programs for European/EU Law
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Application Process for an LLM in the US
Taking admission to law schools in the US is similar to other programs. Here is a snapshot of the application process for students to apply for an LLM in the US:
- Search for a suitable law school as per their interest, specialised program, and budget, as per priority dates.
- Fill out the form before the application deadline. Most law schools have their portal.
- Send your applications by April or May, depending on your chosen intake.
- Send transcripts and other documents directly to the university via post or mail.
Program Requirements for LLM in the US
To study abroad in the US, international students should have applicants need to have the following requirements:
- Juris Doctor (JD) or bachelor’s degree (JD, LLB or equivalent) in relevant courses with at least an 83-86% score Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale or 83% at bachelors level (varies with the university)
- Minimum 2 years of work experience (depends upon university)
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Additional requirements vary from university to university
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Documents Required for LLM In US
Here is the list of necessary documents to get admission to LLM in the US:
- Transcripts of 10th, 12th, and bachelor’s degree
- Evaluation of foreign transcripts by LSAC’s LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS)
- At least two letters of recommendation
- Essays based on the questions asked by the university
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- English Proficiency minimum test scores
- TOEFL (iBT): 100
- IELTS: 7.0
Also Read: IELTS Syllabus For 2022 You should start preparing for exams like TOEFL and IELTS from June itself to clear them swiftly.
Top Colleges for LLM In US
As per QS World University Ranking 2021, the top US universities and colleges that offer the Master in Law degree are mentioned here:
| University Name | Rank | Degree | Course Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Cambridge | 3 | Masters in Law (LLM) | 1 year | INR 60.5 lakhs |
| Stanford University, Stanford | 2 | Masters in Law (LLM) in Competition Innovation & Information Law | 1 year | INR 47.9 lakhs |
| Columbia Law School, New York | 19 | Masters in Law (LLM) | 1 year | INR 53.82 lakhs |
| New York University, New York | 35 | Masters in Law (LLM) in Competition Innovation & Information Law | 1 year | INR 50.8 lakhs |
| University of Southern California, Los Angeles | 121 | Masters in Law (LLM) | 1 year | INR 52.1 lakhs |
| Texas A & M University, College Station, USA | 169 | Masters in Law (LLM) | 1 year | INR 20.6 lakhs |
| Arizona State University, Tempe | 220 | Masters in Law (LLM) | 1 year | INR 36.5 lakhs |
| Northeastern University, Boston | 362 | Masters in Law (LLM) in Criminology & Criminal Justice | 1 year | INR 24.1 lakhs |
Some other universities and colleges are Yale University, Duke University, Stanford Law School, University of Virginia, University of Virginia, and University of California, Berkeley. The students can choose between the spring intake or fall intake. The Spring intake or spring semester (also known as the January semester) lasts from January to May. The fall intake is also known as August intake and covers September, December, or early January. Spring intake is the second-most popular intake after the fall intake. This deadline in the US is important. It begins in mid-July and lasts till early November. While aspirants can also choose summer intake, it is not offered by all the US universities. Also, note that most universities have either December as their deadline or January to February. Some universities, like Columbia, also have October deadlines, so you should be prepared for early action. Also, the University of Connecticut School of Law is the only known place that takes January intakes. However, note that the regular decision deadline for most US universities is in January.
Job Prospects after LLM in USA
The jobs for LLM grads can be on a contract basis, part-time, or full-time. Six months before the completion of the LLM program, students can opt for Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the USA. It is for 12 months and can be paid or unpaid, but it can act as financial aid if paid. You can get an H1B visa through OPT. If you want to practice as a lawyer in the US, you need to pass the bar examination. Prominent jobs in the USA available for students who have cleared graduate school are:
- Associate Attorney
- Attorney Lawyer
- Judge: Oversee Legal Cases
- Private Banker for customised financial services
- Law firm partner
The yearly average pay of an Associate Attorney in the US is Rs 65 lakhs or 94,000 USD, and Attorney Lawyer is Rs 79 lakhs or 113,000 USD. As per PayScale, the average salary of a law firm partner in the US is 179,953 USD or Rs 1.2 crore which can boost up to 400,000 USD or Rs 2.8 crore per annum.
Conclusion
LLM is an internationally recognised master’s degree in law that gives an advanced insight to the law professional. The US government has ensured the country has the world’s biggest and best law colleges that offer LLM in many specialised MS programs. With a Masters in Law degree, a lawyer can work in corporate law at international firms, deal with multinational legal issues and get many career-stepping job opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can one practice law in the US with an LLM degree?
Yes, you may be required to take a bar exam in some states to practice law in the US with an LLM degree.
2. Can a visa be extended after pursuing an LLM from the USA?
Yes, candidates can extend their student visa for up to 18 months after pursuing LLM from the USA to do their desired job.
3. Can I do an LLM in the USA after an LLB in India without a JD degree?
Requirements to pursue LLM in the US vary from university to university. Some universities accept students for LLM programs after a 3-year bachelor’s degree in law, whereas some may require a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
4. If I’m a foreign lawyer & want to practice law in the US, can I do an LLM degree?
Yes, you can do an LLM degree from the US. However, different states have different requirements for foreign lawyers to start practising in the US.
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